Sergio Mattarella, the president of Italy, arrived Zambia on Wednesday July 6, and among other things, speak to the National Assembly of Zambia on July 7, 2022.
Presidents Hakainde Hichilema and Mattarella are slated to meet privately to address issues of mutual interest at the bilateral, regional, and global levels, according to a statement sent to the Scoop by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Stanley Kakubo.
Excellent bilateral ties and collaboration between Zambia and Italy are based on respect for one another and shared ideals.
According to Kakubo, the two nations also work together on a global scale through their shared membership in the United Nations and other organisations.
Kakubo added that government remains resolute in its pursuit of robust economic diplomacy in order to safeguard the country’s interests on the international arena.
He said the high level engagements with strategic partners underscore the commitment of the government to achieve its goal of economic transformation underpinned by peace and security.
Kakubo further stated that In this regard, this landmark visit by President Mattarella will further consolidate the strong ties between Zambia and Italy for the mutual benefit of the people in the two countries.
He noted that President Mattarella is expected to depart Zambia on July 8, 2022.
Meanwhile, Zambia has begun building a 700-kilometre (435-mile) long pipeline to pump diesel fuel from neighbouring Tanzania with an initial investment of $300 million.
Zambian Energy Minister Peter Kapala said Sunday that the new pipeline will run alongside the current one but will be more modernised.
“In a few months’ time, the pipeline will start pumping diesel fuel into Zambia. Phase one of the pipeline will end in Mpika (District in northern Zambia), phase two in Ndola (in Copperbelt Province) and phase three in Solwezi (in northwestern Zambia),” Kapala told a live radio broadcast.